Republic Day celebrations: Security tightened across Odisha

Security has been tightened across Odisha, mainly in Maoist affected areas, for Republic Day celebrations Monday in view of intelligence warning about possible terror strike and call by Naxals to observe it as a 'black day'.

Bhubaneswar: Security has been tightened across Odisha, mainly in Maoist affected areas, for Republic Day celebrations Monday in view of intelligence warning about possible terror strike and call by Naxals to observe it as a 'black day'.

The state government has sounded a high alert in all the districts after the Intelligence Bureau warned about the possible terror attack.

The SPs of all the districts have been asked to be on alert, while all the 18 marine police stations are told to be extra vigilant, DGP Sanjeev Marik said.

In the state capital of Bhubaneswar where Governor S C Jamir is slated to unfurl the national flag, over 1,000 police personnel, quick action teams, counter-terrorist squads, bomb disposal squads and Special Operations Group jawans would be in place.

In order to monitor movement of people at the parade area, CCTVs have been installed, police said, adding patrolling has been stepped up in sensitive and crowded areas as well as near vital installations.

In Cuttack, where Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is scheduled to take salute at the parade in Barabati stadium, elaborate security arrangements have been made.

With Maoists giving a call for observing the day as 'black day', security has been tightened in southern and western regions with intensive patrolling by security forces and sealing of borders with neighbouring states like Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

"We are fully prepared to deal with any situation and ensure a peaceful celebration of the Republic Day. We are alert and vigilant to thwart any bid to create trouble," said Malkangiri SP Mitrabhanu Mohapatra.

Similarly, Kandhamal district SP K V Singh said all security camps have been alerted, checking of vehicles undertaken and patrolling by police intensified.

In Phulbani town, police personnel in strength would be deployed, he said. Security was also tightened in other Naxal-affected districts including Koraput, Rayagada, Gajapati and Ganjam.